Mennonite

[ men-uh-nahyt ]
/ ˈmɛn əˌnaɪt /

noun

a member of an evangelical Protestant sect, originating in Europe in the 16th century, that opposes infant baptism, practices baptism of believers only, restricts marriage to members of the denomination, opposes war and bearing arms, and is noted for simplicity of living and plain dress.

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Origin of Mennonite

1555–65; < German Mennonit; named after Menno Simons (1492–1559), Frisian religious leader; see -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM Mennonite

Men·no·nit·ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for mennonites

British Dictionary definitions for mennonites

Mennonite
/ (ˈmɛnəˌnaɪt) /

noun

a member of a Protestant sect that rejects infant baptism, Church organization, and the doctrine of transubstantiation and in most cases refuses military service, public office, and the taking of oaths

Derived forms of Mennonite

Mennonitism, noun

Word Origin for Mennonite

C16: from German Mennonit, after Menno Simons (1496–1561), Frisian religious leader
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for mennonites

Mennonites

A Protestant denomination, founded in the early days of the Reformation, whose members believe in living with great simplicity and who refuse to hold public office or to serve in the military. Some are as strict as the Amish in rejecting modern conveniences, such as automobiles and radios. There are numerous Mennonite communities in Pennsylvania and the Middle West.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.